London, Dec. 18: The Italian Prime Minister, Mr Silvio Berlusconi, considered increasing the country’s foreign aid budget during Italy 2009 G8 presidency to avoid a tongue lashing from Irish rocker Bono, according to a leaked US diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks.
In the leaked cable, Mr William Meara, economic adviser at the US embassy in Rome, said with its 2009 G8 presidency looming, the newly installed, centre-right government in Italy may decide to maintain funding levels (to Africa) simply to avoid an embarrassing tongue-lashing from Bono et al, the Guardian reported on Saturday.
The relationship between Bono, the lead singer of the rock group U2, and Mr Berlusconi had been strained since 2006, when he musician accused the Italian Prime Minister of exploiting his image in the run-up to the country’s elections.
The cable speaks of a meeting between Mr Meara and Mr Fabrizio Nava, director of the office of sub-Saharan Africa assistance for the Italian government.